Can Air Dry Clay Be Used For Dishes?

What is Air Dry Clay?

Air dry clay, also called clay dough, is an earthen clay material that does not require baking or firing in a kiln to harden and cure. It is made from a combination of clay, minerals, and cellulose-based binders. When exposed to air, the clay dries and hardens through evaporation.

Unlike ceramic clay that requires high heat to cure, air dry clay simply dries at room temperature over 24-48 hours. The binders allow the clay to harden once the moisture evaporates. This makes it an accessible modeling material for crafting and DIY projects.

The main properties of air dry clay are that it is lightweight, easy to mold by hand, inexpensive, and non-toxic. The finished pieces are solid but have a more porous, rough surface compared to kiln-fired clays. Air dry clay is softer and more malleable compared to polymer clay.

Is Air Dry Clay Food Safe?

When considering using air dry clay for dishes, the most important factor is safety. There are some concerns regarding the toxicity of certain ingredients commonly found in air dry clays.

Most air dry clays contain ingredients like silicates, cellulose derivatives, polymers, and preservatives. While these are considered safe for arts and crafts uses, questions remain about their suitability for prolonged contact with food and drink.

Some specific ingredients that may raise safety concerns include:

• Polyvinyl acetate – Used as an adhesive, there is conflicting evidence on whether it can leach harmful chemicals.
• Formaldehyde – Small amounts may be present and can migrate into food over time.
• Preservatives – Biocides and antimicrobials may not be food-grade.
• Heavy metals – Trace amounts of lead, cadmium, and other toxic metals could potentially leach out.

Currently, there are no specific regulations around the use of air dry clay for dishes. Since clays are considered art supplies rather than food contact substances, they are exempt from oversight by the FDA and other agencies.

This lack of official safety standards and toxicity data makes it difficult to conclusively determine if air dry clay is truly food-safe for long-term use as dinnerware. Proceed with caution and carefully research ingredient safety if choosing to craft clay dishes.

Making Dishes from Air Dry Clay

Creating dishes from air dry clay involves several steps. First, the clay must be shaped into the desired form. Air dry clay is very malleable, making it easy to sculpt bowls, plates, cups, and other dishware shapes. The clay can be shaped by hand or using basic sculpting tools.

Once the basic shape is formed, details can be added by carving into the clay with tools or by attaching additional pieces of shaped clay. The surface can be smoothed by rubbing with a soft cloth or special clay shaping tools. Intricate patterns, textures, and decorative effects can be created by impressing designs into the clay.

After shaping, air dry clay dishes must be allowed to fully cure and harden. The drying and curing process allows all the water to evaporate out of the clay, leaving the hard finished piece. The drying time depends on factors like thickness, but generally takes 1-3 days. The clay can be left to air dry naturally, or the drying can be accelerated by placing the clay in a warm oven or dehydrator. However, care must be taken not to overly heat the clay during drying.

Finally, clay dishes can be enhanced by painting, glazing, or sealing. Acrylic paints work well on cured air dry clay. Glazes specifically formulated for clay can also be applied before firing the pieces in a kiln. Additionally, a clear acrylic sealer can be used to seal and protect air dry clay dishes. Proper surface treatment enhances aesthetics and prevents staining or degradation of the clay over time.

Durability of Air Dry Clay Dishes

Air dry clay is not as durable as ceramic dishes. Ceramic is fired at extremely high temperatures, making it strong and able to withstand high heat in the oven or dishwasher. Air dry clay remains fragile even after drying, prone to chipping, scratching, cracking, or breaking if dropped. It does not hold up as well to repeated use and washing. Minor chips and cracks in the clay can harbor bacteria if not properly cleaned and sealed. Since air dry clay never reaches the high temperatures of ceramic firing, it does not become stoneware. Dishes made from air dry clay need to be handled carefully to prevent damage. They are better for decorative purposes rather than utilitarian, everyday dishes.

Cleaning and Care

Air dry clay dishes are more delicate than traditional ceramic or porcelain dishes, so they require some special care when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. Here are some tips for keeping your air dry clay dinnerware looking its best:

Handwashing is recommended over using the dishwasher. The high heat and harsh detergents in a dishwasher can cause air dry clay to become brittle and crack over time. Gently wash dishes by hand using mild dish soap and warm water.

Avoid abrasive scouring pads or scrub brushes, as they can scratch the surface. Instead, use a soft cloth or sponge. For stubborn stains, let the dish soak for a bit before gently scrubbing.

Don’t let stains set in. It’s best to wash air dry clay dishes soon after use before food residues have a chance to harden. If stains do develop, try spot cleaning with baking soda or lemon juice.

With proper care, air dry clay dishes can last a long time. But the porous material may absorb stains, odors and flavors over time with continual use. Avoid letting the clay soak in coffee, tomato sauce or other strongly colored foods. Regular sealing with food-safe sealants can help reduce staining.

Check dishes frequently for signs of wear like scratches, chips or cracks. Air dry clay is susceptible to chipping with impact. Discard or stop using dishes that show excessive damage.

Aesthetic Qualities

One of the most appealing aspects of using air dry clay for dishes is the aesthetic qualities it provides. Air dry clay has a beautiful handcrafted, homemade look that adds charm and warmth to any dining table. The natural matte finish and earthy colors create a rustic, artisanal style.

Because the clay is molded by hand, each piece will have slight imperfections that give it character. No two pieces will be exactly the same, making each item unique. Air dry clay lends itself well to creating organic, asymmetrical shapes that feel comforting and casual for everyday use.

You also have the ability to completely customize the look of air dry clay dishes. The clay can be shaped into any style you desire before drying. You can create simple modern shapes or intricate hand-thrown pots. The clay also takes readily to painting and glazing before or after firing. This allows you to coat it in glazes of any color to create a limitless variety of looks, from solid colors to elaborate designs.

Overall, air dry clay allows you to produce dishes that feel like works of art. Each piece will have its own handcrafted charm that mass-produced ceramic dishware cannot replicate.

Cost Comparison

When comparing costs, air dry clay can be significantly cheaper than ceramic or stoneware dishes. Here are some factors to consider:

Upfront costs: A 25 lb bag of air dry clay costs $20-40 depending on the brand. Ceramic and stoneware dishes can range from $5 for basic plates and bowls up to $50+ for handcrafted artisan pieces. In terms of raw materials, air dry clay is clearly the budget option.

Time and labor: Forming dishes out of air dry clay is very time consuming, requiring shaping, sculpting, sanding, and painting. The process can take 1-3 hours per piece. Ceramic and stoneware come ready to use with no additional labor required. For those valuing their time, pre-made dishes have an advantage.

Durability: Air dry clay dishes must be sealed and will not last as long as ceramic, needing periodic touch-ups. The long-term cost difference depends on how carefully you treat the air dry clay pieces. Sturdy ceramic dishes can last for decades.

Customization: A major benefit of air dry clay is the ability to mold completely custom dishes in any shape imaginable. This allows for personalized pieces that reflect your style. Ceramic and stoneware come in pre-determined shapes and designs.

Taking these factors as a whole, air dry clay will be the cheaper DIY option while ceramic/stoneware works out more affordable if you value time and durability over customized pieces.

Environmental Impact

Air dry clay is often praised for its eco-friendly qualities compared to other materials like plastics or ceramics fired in a kiln. Since air dry clay doesn’t require high heat to set, it avoids the energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with firing ceramics. It also doesn’t require any toxic chemicals to cure and set.

Once fully dried, air dry clay is also generally reusable and recyclable. Leftover bits of clay can be reconstituted and reused by adding water. Finished pieces that are no longer wanted can often be recycled and repurposed as well. Just re-wet the clay, knead it back into a workable form, and create something new. This gives air dry clay good sustainability as art supplies and craft materials.

Overall, air dry clay is considered one of the greener and more environmentally friendly sculpting and modeling materials out there. It doesn’t deplete resources or produce much waste when used responsibly.

Use Cases and Applications

Air dry clay can work for casual dining dishes and decorative pieces, but is not ideal for heavy usage. Lightweight bowls, plates, cups, and saucers made from air dry clay can add aesthetic interest to casual meals or decorative displays. The porcelain-like appearance and ability to imprint designs easily lends itself well to decorative objects like vases, figurines, and wall art. However, the fragile nature of air dry clay means it is not suited to heavy usage or commercial applications. Plates and bowls would need to be hand-washed gently and are not as durable as standard ceramic dinnerware. Air dry clay dishes and objects are better suited as special occasion pieces rather than for daily use.

The Verdict

Overall, air dry clay has some benefits but also some significant drawbacks when used for dishes and tableware. Here is a summary of the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Inexpensive and accessible material
• Easy to mold into different shapes
• Fun for creative and craft projects
• Environmentally friendly if non-toxic paints are used

Cons:

• Not food safe unless sealed with a non-toxic sealer
• Prone to chipping, cracking, scratching, and breaking
• Difficult to properly clean and sanitize
• May require frequent replacement

Given the downsides, air dry clay is likely not the best choice for regular dinnerware and dishes. However, it can be suitable for occasional use or craft projects if properly sealed and cared for. Those seeking durable and food-safe dinnerware would be better served by ceramic, stoneware, or glass options. Air dry clay is likely best reserved for decorative objects, children’s projects, and other non-food applications.